Financial Planner Resume examples & templates
Copyable Financial Planner Resume examples
Ever wondered who helps people navigate the maze of retirement plans, investment options, and tax strategies? Financial Planners are the architects of financial stability, designing roadmaps that guide clients through life's biggest money decisions. It's not just about crunching numbers (though there's plenty of that) – it's about understanding dreams and translating them into achievable financial goals.
The landscape for Financial Planners has shifted dramatically in recent years. While traditional planning remains the backbone, we're seeing increased demand for specialized expertise in areas like sustainable investing and cryptocurrency management. The profession is growing faster than many other fields, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 15% growth rate through 2031. This surge comes as 45% of adults report having absolutely no retirement savings, creating both challenges and opportunities for planners who can effectively communicate complex financial concepts. Looking ahead, Financial Planners who blend technical knowledge with genuine empathy and clear communication will find themselves especially valued in a world where financial anxiety continues to rise.
Junior Financial Planner Resume Example
Marcus Thompson
Boston, MA • (617) 555-8214 • mthompson.finance@email.com • linkedin.com/in/marcusthompson
Professional Summary
Recent finance graduate with internship experience at a wealth management firm and 1+ year as a junior financial planner. Skilled in retirement planning, investment analysis, and client relationship building. Passed CFP® exam and currently completing experience requirement for certification. Committed to providing comprehensive financial planning solutions while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Experience
Junior Financial Planner – Horizon Wealth Advisors, Boston, MA
March 2022 – Present
- Support lead planners with client meetings and follow-up documentation for 32 client households representing $14.3M in assets under management
- Prepare financial planning analyses and recommendations using MoneyGuidePro, creating 18 comprehensive financial plans
- Conduct investment research and help build model portfolios aligned with clients’ risk tolerance and financial goals
- Assist with annual client reviews, including portfolio performance analysis and goal tracking
- Develop and maintain client relationships through regular communication and exceptional service
Financial Planning Intern – Fidelity Investments, Boston, MA
June 2021 – December 2021
- Shadowed senior financial planners during client meetings and contributed to plan development
- Analyzed client portfolios and identified tax-saving opportunities for 12 high-net-worth clients
- Researched market trends and prepared investment summaries for weekly team meetings
- Created educational materials on retirement planning strategies for client presentations
Finance Club President – Boston University, Boston, MA
September 2020 – May 2021
- Led a student organization of 43 members focused on financial literacy and career development
- Organized 7 networking events with industry professionals, resulting in internship opportunities for 9 members
- Managed club budget of $3,500 and secured additional $1,200 in funding from university sponsors
Education
Bachelor of Science in Finance – Boston University, Boston, MA
Graduated: May 2021 | GPA: 3.76/4.0
- Minor in Economics
- Dean’s List: 6 semesters
- Relevant Coursework: Investment Analysis, Financial Planning, Tax Strategies, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning
Certifications
- Passed CFP® Examination (March 2022) – Experience requirement in progress
- Series 65 License (January 2022)
- Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate (2020)
Skills
- Financial Planning Software: MoneyGuidePro, eMoney Advisor
- Investment Analysis & Portfolio Construction
- Retirement Planning & Cash Flow Analysis
- Client Relationship Management
- Tax Planning Strategies
- Risk Assessment & Management
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Bloomberg Terminal (basic proficiency)
- Financial Statement Analysis
Professional Affiliations
- Financial Planning Association (FPA) – Student Member then Associate Member
- National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) – Associate Member
Mid-level Financial Planner Resume Example
Nathan Donovan
Nashville, TN | (615) 555-7842 | nathan.donovan@email.com | linkedin.com/in/nathandonovan
Financial planner with 5+ years of experience helping clients achieve their financial goals. Skilled in retirement planning, investment management, and tax-efficient strategies. Proven track record of growing client base by 18% annually and maintaining a 93% client retention rate. Committed to providing personalized financial guidance that adapts to clients’ changing life circumstances.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Financial Planner | Meridian Wealth Advisors | Nashville, TN | March 2021 – Present
- Manage comprehensive financial planning for 45+ high-net-worth clients with combined assets of $32M
- Developed specialized retirement planning strategies that improved projected retirement outcomes for 78% of clients
- Lead a team of 3 junior planners, providing mentorship and professional development
- Created and implemented a new client onboarding process that reduced paperwork time by 35%
- Conduct quarterly portfolio reviews and annual financial plan updates, maintaining a 96% client satisfaction rating
Financial Planner | TrueNorth Financial | Nashville, TN | June 2019 – February 2021
- Managed financial planning relationships for 30+ clients with $15M in assets under management
- Designed comprehensive financial plans addressing retirement, education, tax, and estate planning needs
- Generated $175K in new annual revenue through client referrals and networking efforts
- Collaborated with CPAs and estate attorneys to develop integrated wealth management solutions
Financial Planning Associate | Cornerstone Advisors | Memphis, TN | August 2018 – May 2019
- Supported 2 senior advisors with client meeting preparation, financial plan development, and follow-up
- Conducted research on investment options and tax-efficient strategies for client recommendations
- Prepared financial planning analyses using eMoney software for client presentations
- Assisted with client seminars on retirement planning and Social Security optimization
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance | University of Tennessee | Knoxville, TN | 2018
Minor in Economics | Dean’s List (6 semesters) | Finance Club Vice President
CERTIFICATIONS
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) | Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards | 2020
Series 7 & 66 Licenses | FINRA | 2018
Life and Health Insurance License | State of Tennessee | 2018
SKILLS
- Retirement Planning & Analysis
- Investment Portfolio Management
- Estate Planning Strategies
- Tax-Efficient Investing
- Cash Flow Management
- Risk Assessment & Insurance Planning
- Financial Planning Software (eMoney, MoneyGuidePro)
- CRM Systems (Redtail, Salesforce)
- Client Relationship Management
- Financial Education & Presentation
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Financial Planning Association (FPA), Member | 2019 – Present
Nashville Estate Planning Council, Associate Member | 2021 – Present
Senior / Experienced Financial Planner Resume Example
Jessica M. Hartwell, CFP®
jmhartwell@email.com | (617) 555-3892 | Boston, MA | linkedin.com/in/jessicamhartwell
Strategic financial planning professional with 11+ years of experience guiding high-net-worth individuals and families toward financial freedom. Skilled in retirement planning, tax optimization, and wealth transfer strategies. Known for developing comprehensive financial roadmaps that adapt to clients’ evolving life goals while navigating complex market conditions. Strong communicator who translates intricate financial concepts into actionable plans.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Financial Planner | Meridian Wealth Management | Boston, MA | 2018 – Present
- Manage portfolio planning and wealth management services for 47 high-net-worth client relationships with combined assets of $112M
- Developed and implemented specialized retirement income strategies resulting in 89% client retention rate through 2020 market volatility
- Pioneered firm’s “Next Generation” planning program for clients’ adult children, generating $3.2M in new assets under management
- Lead quarterly client education seminars on tax-efficient investing, estate planning, and retirement income strategies
- Mentor 3 junior advisors, creating structured development plans that reduced new advisor ramp-up time by 4 months
Financial Advisor | Northeast Financial Partners | Cambridge, MA | 2015 – 2018
- Built diverse client base of 65+ households with average investable assets of $750K
- Created and implemented customized financial plans covering retirement, education, estate planning, and risk management
- Collaborated with CPAs and estate attorneys to develop integrated wealth management solutions
- Recognized as “Rising Star” advisor in 2017 for exceeding new client acquisition targets by 32%
Financial Planning Associate | Beacon Hill Advisors | Boston, MA | 2012 – 2015
- Supported 2 senior advisors in managing client relationships and developing financial plans
- Prepared detailed analyses of client investment portfolios, insurance coverage, and retirement projections
- Constructed and kept up financial planning models using MoneyGuidePro and eMoney platforms
- Earned CFP® designation while working full-time (passed on first attempt)
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) | Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards | 2014
Bachelor of Science, Finance | Boston College | 2011
Series 7 & 66 Licenses | FINRA | Current
Life & Health Insurance License | Commonwealth of Massachusetts | Current
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Financial Planning Software: eMoney, MoneyGuidePro, RightCapital
- Investment Analysis: Morningstar Advisor Workstation, Bloomberg Terminal
- CRM: Salesforce, Redtail
- Portfolio Management: Black Diamond, Tamarac
- Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced Excel modeling)
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- Retirement Income Planning
- Tax-Efficient Investment Strategies
- Estate & Legacy Planning
- Risk Management & Insurance Analysis
- Client Relationship Management
- Behavioral Finance Coaching
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Financial Planning Association (FPA), Boston Chapter – Member since 2014
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) – Associate Member
How to Write a Financial Planner Resume
Introduction
Landing a great job as a Financial Planner starts with crafting a resume that showcases your expertise in wealth management, client relations, and financial analysis. Your resume isn't just a list of jobs—it's a marketing document that positions you as the solution to a firm's needs. I've reviewed thousands of Financial Planner resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get interviews and those that don't often comes down to how well they communicate value and credibility. Let's break down exactly how to create a resume that gets you noticed in this competitive field.
Resume Structure and Format
Financial planning is all about organization and attention to detail—and your resume should reflect these qualities. Keep these formatting guidelines in mind:
- Stick to 1-2 pages (1 page for junior planners, 2 pages if you have 7+ years of experience)
- Use a clean, professional font like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia at 10-12pt size
- Include clear section headings with ample white space between sections
- Save and send as a PDF (unless specifically asked for a different format)
- Name your file professionally: "FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf"
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a powerful 3-4 sentence summary that highlights your credentials, experience level, and specialty areas. This is your "elevator pitch" and first impression.
Always customize your summary for each job application. Review the job description and mirror back the specific skills and qualifications they're seeking—this shows you're the perfect fit right from the start.
Example: "Series 7 and 66 licensed Financial Planner with 6 years of experience specializing in retirement planning for high-net-worth individuals. Proven track record of growing client portfolios by an average of 18% while maintaining conservative risk profiles. Known for translating complex financial concepts into actionable strategies that clients understand and trust."
Professional Experience
This is where most hiring managers spend the bulk of their time. For each role, include:
- Company name, location, your title, and dates (month/year to month/year)
- 3-6 bullet points highlighting your accomplishments (not just duties)
- Quantifiable results wherever possible (client retention rates, AUM growth, etc.)
- Action verbs like "analyzed," "developed," "implemented," "managed"
Example bullet: "Built and maintained a $17.3M client portfolio through targeted prospecting and 94% client retention rate, exceeding team average by 27%."
Education and Certifications
In financial planning, your credentials matter enormously. List your:
- Degree(s), institution, graduation year (omit dates if graduated >15 years ago)
- Professional certifications (CFP®, ChFC®, etc.) with dates obtained
- Licenses (Series 7, 66, etc.)
- Relevant continuing education or specialized training
Put your most impressive credential first—for most financial planners, that's the CFP® designation if you have it.
Keywords and ATS Tips
Most firms use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human ever sees them. To get past these digital gatekeepers:
- Include industry-specific keywords from the job description
- Avoid tables, headers/footers, and text boxes that ATS systems can't read
- Don't try to "keyword stuff"—use terms naturally within context
- Make sure your contact info is in the main body of the resume, not in a header
Industry-specific Terms
Sprinkle these throughout your resume (where applicable and honest):
- Financial planning software (MoneyGuidePro, eMoney, etc.)
- Planning specialties (retirement, estate, tax, education, etc.)
- Investment vehicles (mutual funds, ETFs, annuities, alternatives)
- Regulatory compliance (fiduciary, Reg BI, etc.)
- Client relationship management (CRM) systems you've used
Common Mistakes
I've seen plenty of qualified planners get overlooked because of these errors:
- Focusing on responsibilities instead of achievements
- Listing every client interaction rather than highlighting significant outcomes
- Omitting AUM, client retention rates, or revenue generation metrics
- Burying important certifications deep in the resume
- Using financial jargon without demonstrating client communication skills
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for meeting with clients and creating financial plans."
After: "Developed comprehensive financial plans for 45+ clients with diverse needs, resulting in $4.2M in new assets under management and a 91% implementation rate on recommendations."
Remember—your resume needs to do more than list qualifications; it should tell the story of how you've helped clients achieve their financial goals. That's what will make you stand out in a pile of applications!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Financial Planner resume
- Active listening with clients when discussing complex financial goals (recognized by manager for 87% client retention)
- Translating technical financial concepts into plain language for diverse client understanding
- Patience during high-stress financial conversations, especially when delivering unexpected news
- Collaborative approach with tax professionals and estate attorneys to create holistic client solutions
- Empathetic problem-solving to balance emotional and practical aspects of financial decisions
- Time management skills – juggling 35+ client portfolios while maintaining quarterly review schedule
Hard skills for your Financial Planner resume
- Series 7 and Series 66 FINRA licenses with active registration
- Cash flow modeling using eMoney and MoneyGuidePro
- Portfolio construction with Morningstar Direct
- Tax-efficient investment strategies for high-net-worth clients
- Proficiency in Redtail CRM and Salesforce Financial Services Cloud
- Estate planning techniques for business owners
- Risk analysis using Monte Carlo simulations
- Retirement distribution strategies (4% rule, bucket approach)
- Microsoft Excel (vlookups, pivot tables, scenario analysis)